Molecular Designs for Self-Organized Superstructures

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Abstract

Molecular arrays with desirable topological networks have recently been realized in crystal by self-organized binding between molecular building blocks with hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding) and metal-coordinating affinities. The coordination bonds and the H-bonds are relatively weak interactions that impart strength, directionality, and complementarity. Such crystal manipulations, often known as crystal engineering, are performed to yield arrays of controlled superstructures providing new functional molecular solids. Thus the self-organization of designed molecules containing certain kinds of complementary H-bonding and coordinating units has stimulated new efforts in the material sciences using, for example, controlled molecular arrays adsorbed to a solid surface, a self-organized molecular assembly with unique cavities, and an integrated system of molecular device.